Cheese

One of the classic raw cow milk cheeses from the northern Italian Piedmonts, renowned home of some of the greatest wines of the world. Castelmagno (DOP) has come to signify one of the 'rarest' cheeses of the area, but we manage to keep it coming in. Powdery and crumbly, the pale paste tastes buttery with sour cream undertones. Further aging brings on sharpness and sometimes a bit of bluing, giving an otherwise innocuous cheese a very powerful punch.Traditionally served with a flavored honey or mostarda, it is also used when making gnocchi. Read More

A tribute like no other, this Absinthe-washed masterpiece is named for cheese-maker Jos Vulto’s late wife who wished to have a cheese named after her. Made with raw cow’s milk at his creamery in the Catskills and washed in a locally produced Absinthe called Meadow of Love, the light orange rind imparts bright herbaceouness to the lightly bubbled, savory interior. The cheese’s meaty paste complements a pairing of smoky speck and tangy pickles. Read More

600 feet above sea level, at the base of “Napoleon’s Nose” in Basque country, you’ll find Fromagerie Mont Royal Tradition where this firm raw sheep’s milk tomme is made. The recipe started off as an attempt to replicate Roquefort, but resulted in a much milder paste with smooth, fruity notes, not without some distinct sheepiness. Its closest relative is Ossau Iraty Vielle, another of the region’s traditional natural rind, sheep tommes. The cheese’s fruity aspects are fittingly paired with Black Cherry Confit and some of the region’s fruitier rosés. Read More

Ouleout is named after a creek which flows through Delaware County, where Vulto Creamery is located. Ouleout is an Algonquin name meaning "a continuing voice." A raw milk, grass-fed cow's milk round in the vein of Ardrahan and Munster, Ouleout is medicinal and briny, with strong notes of roasted coffee. Read More

A distinctive buttery aroma hints at the barrage of nutty sweetness and spice followed by a salt-caramel finish. We’re quite sure that the squat 80 pound kegs of cheese are made from raw, partially skimmed milk in Parma - thanks to strict D.O.P regulations. We choose 24 month wheels; any younger and we miss the intensity, any older and the salt and sandy texture overwhelms. Those white specks there are clusters of amino acids. They reflect proper aging and create a delightful crunchy texture. You can put parm on anything, but a traditional approach might involve ribbons of proscuitto and a swirl of Lambrusco. Read More

This rugged little wheel is a bit of an outlier on this list. Made in a style reminiscent of the Iberian “torta” - sheep and cow's milk aged into a rich, gooey wheel that’s just begging you to lop the top off and start scooping. It’s got a big, briny flavor, with a rind that tastes of raw oysters, and a yogurty, lactic paste that’ll linger on your tongue for hours! Read More

Don't bid us adieu until you've tasted this complex and peppery goat tomme from the town that sounds like goodbye. Similar to its popular regional neighbor, Pyrenees Brebis, but offering a uniquely goaty tang and a sweet, musty departure. Read More

Aged for 2 years which is the max the affineur will allow. The enormous wheels of raw cows' milk have a firm texture, leaving flavors that can range from dense (smoke and onions), to sweeter, with notes of chocolate and hazelnuts. Read More